The Beatles – Abbey Road (Super Deluxe Edition – 50 Anniversary) MP3 [320kbps]
The Beatles – Abbey Road (Super Deluxe Edition – 50 Anniversary) MP3 [320kbps]
Disc 1: Abbey Road (2019 Mix)
- Come Together
- Something
- Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
- Oh! Darling
- Octopus’s Garden
- I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
- Here Comes the Sun
- Because
- You Never Give Me Your Money
- Sun King
- Mean Mr. Mustard
- Polythene Pam
- She Came In Through the Bathroom Window
- Golden Slumbers
- Carry That Weight
- The End
- Her Majesty
Disc 2: Studio Sessions
- I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (Trident Recording Session and Reduction Mix)
- Goodbye (Home Demo)
- Something (Studio Demo)
- The Ballad of John and Yoko (Take 7)
- Old Brown Shoe (Take 2)
- Oh! Darling (Take 4)
- Octopus’s Garden (Take 9)
- You Never Give Me Your Money (Take 36)
- Her Majesty (Takes 1–3)
- Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight (Takes 1–3)
- Here Comes The Sun (Take 9)
- Maxwell’s Silver Hammer (Take 12)
Disc 3: Studio Sessions
- Come Together (Take 5)
- The End (Take 3)
- Come and Get It (Studio Demo)
- Sun King (Take 20)
- Mean Mr Mustard (Take 20)
- Polythene Pam (Take 27)
- She Came In Through the Bathroom Window (Take 27)
- Because (Take 1 / Instrumental)
- The Long One (Trial Edit & Mix – 30 July 1969)
- Something (Take 39 / Instrumental / Strings Only)
- Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight (Take 17 / Instrumental / Strings & Brass Only)
The Beatles – Abbey Road (50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition)
The 2019 reissue of Abbey Road (1969) for its 50th anniversary is arguably the best-received of The Beatles’ later catalogue anniversary releases. Curated and remixed by Giles Martin (son of original producer George Martin) and engineer Sam Okell, the Super Deluxe Edition provides not only a sparkling new stereo mix but also an invaluable glimpse into the band’s final, creative sessions.
The New Stereo Mix: Clarity and Punch
The core of the 50th Anniversary package is the new stereo mix. The original 1969 mix was criticized by some for its unusual soundstage and, occasionally, a slightly thin sonic profile. Giles Martin’s approach was to use modern technology to return to the original four- and eight-track tapes, creating a mix that is both faithful to the original recording and dramatically improved in terms of clarity and low-end presence.
Key features of the 2019 mix:
- Bass Prominence: Paul McCartney’s basslines, particularly on tracks like «Come Together» and «Something,» are clearer, punchier, and far more defined than ever before, sounding distinct from the drums.
- Vocal Separation: Vocals and harmonies, particularly in the Medley, are more distinct, allowing the listener to appreciate the complexity of the layers.
- Drum Impact: Ringo Starr’s drumming, already stellar, gains weight and warmth, giving the rhythm section a truly modern, powerful feel.
The result is a mix that gives the album the sonic weight it deserves, enhancing the psychedelic and progressive elements without sacrificing the album’s essential warmth.
The Session Outtakes: The Creative Process Revealed
The accompanying discs of outtakes, known as the «Sessions,» are essential for any dedicated fan, documenting the fractured yet brilliant process behind the album’s creation.
The outtakes are arranged to follow the album’s sequence, offering alternate takes, early drafts, and studio chat. Highlights include:
- «I Want You (She’s So Heavy)» (Trident Recording Session & Reduction Mix): This track showcases the raw, blues-rock intensity of the initial sessions, emphasizing the powerful, almost violent, energy of the performance before the final, dramatic edit.
- The Medley Sessions: The session tracks related to the famous Side Two medley («Golden Slumbers,» «Carry That Weight,» «The End») offer the most fascinating insights. We hear initial takes with placeholder lyrics, alternative arrangements, and the evolving structure of their final collective masterpiece.
- «Come Together» (Take 5): An early version that highlights the evolution of the iconic bass riff and provides a clearer picture of the initial arrangements John Lennon was exploring.
These sessions underline Abbey Road‘s unique status: a collection of brilliant individual ideas brought together through expert studio craftsmanship, proving that even as the band dissolved, their individual musical genius remained fully intact.
Legacy and Conclusion
The Abbey Road 50th Anniversary Edition stands as the definitive presentation of The Beatles’ farewell album. It captures the band at its most technically proficient and creatively focused, delivering an album that is progressive, emotional, and flawlessly produced. The 2019 mix ensures that this seminal work, arguably the perfect summation of their career, remains vital and engaging for a new generation of listeners.